Eight people in Plymouth were told by police they were at risk of being murdered last year, shocking figures have revealed.

Cops issued the “threat to life” notices, also known as “Osman” warnings, after receiving specific intelligence that individuals were at serious and imminent risk of being killed. Many of the notices involve known criminals.

Figures released to Cornwall Live under the Freedom of Information Act showed Devon and Cornwall Police issued 25 of the warnings in 2016, including eight in Plymouth, 12 in the rest of Devon and five in Cornwall.

Read More

Because of the sensitivity surrounding such cases, no further details were released. Devon and Cornwall Police even refused to provide figures for 2017, in case they jeopardised current operations.

What is an Osman Warning?

The warning system was devised after a high-profile failure by the Metropolitan Police to protect several individuals from Paul Paget-Lewis, a teacher suffering from psychotic tendencies. (Image: Pixabay)

The Osman warning system was devised after a high-profile failure by the Metropolitan Police to protect several individuals from Paul Paget-Lewis, a teacher suffering from psychotic tendencies.

Paget-Lewis shot and wounded a former pupil, Ahmet Osman, to whom he had formed a disturbing attachment, and killed his father, Ali, and two others in 1988.

Police and other authorities knew of Paget-Lewis’s obsession. When he was arrested, Paget-Lewis said: “Why didn’t you stop me before I did it? I gave you all the warning signs.”

He was later convicted of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Devon and Cornwall Police told Cornwall Live that guidance on such warnings was issued by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC).

Read More

A 79-page report penned by former Chief Constable David Crompton explains: “A warning to an intended victim may be issued when the officer in charge believes that the intended victim should be made aware of a threat/risk against them.

Devon and Cornwall Police issued 25 'threat to life' notices in 2016

“The warning process is known as the service of a ‘Threats to Life Warning Notice’. The purpose of a warning is to notify the potential victim of the existence of a threat/risk towards them, and to allow them to take precautionary steps to protect themselves, or to allow them an opportunity to consider the protective measures proposed by the police.

“A warning is not intended to allow the intended victim to initiate a pre-emptive strike against the attacker, nor to allow him/her to identify intelligence sources.

"Due consideration should also be given to the potential threat the victim would then pose towards any potential assailant.

Read More

“A warning to the assailant may be issued when the officer in charge believes that the assailant should be made aware that the existence of the threat/risk posed by them is known.

“The warning process is known as the service of a ‘Threats to Life Disruption Notice’. A warning is not intended to allow him/her to identify intelligence sources but remains a tactical option to consider particularly when the identity of the potential victim or location is unknown or is unclear.”